Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on Twitter • Be a Facebook Fan • Tumble us!

14 Jan 2011 20:06

tags

Tech: Hey guys, look what the Huffington Post is doing with our data

  • Look, it’s great that the Huffington Post is trying to make our news experience more social, but this is a tad bit over the line. Come on. This is just plain unethical. Look, the social news element is one thing, but they gathered people’s birthdays from Facebook and used them in a really weird way, without telling us they were going to do it. Bad idea. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

14 Jan 2011 19:30

tags

U.S.: The weirdest Jared Lee Loughner news we’ll post, well, ever

  • A Walgreens in Tuscon [sic], Ariz. turned over to police racy photos of gunman Jared Loughner with a Glock and a G-string that were taken to the store to be developed the night before the shooting rampage that left six people dead and 14 wounded. … In the photos he holds the pistol against his crotch and buttocks while wearing a bright red thong, sources told ABC News.
  • ABC News • Leaving us speechless. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

14 Jan 2011 14:49

tags

Politics: Michael Steele unintentionally nails his legacy with the RNC

  • “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Guess which book Michael Steele thought this iconic quote was from? (Hint: Not from “A Tale of Two Cities.”) Anyway, even though he completely misattributed the quote (he said it was from his favorite book, “War and Peace”), let’s face it, that’s everything you need to know about his two years as RNC chair. Despite the immense level of success the Republican Party had in winning elections in 2009 and 2010, their current financial situation is pretty much the polar opposite of what one would expect from the party of fiscal responsibility. So, let’s take a moment to honor the RNC weirdo in his last stand, the one whose party succeeded despite his own personal failures. And the fact that he attributed this quote to the wrong book explains everything about why he won’t return. (Edit: He’s currently behind in the vote, which is taking place now … he’s not doing bad but losing support.) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Jan 2011 14:44

tags

Politics: Obama’s approval ratings back in the green

  • 47.9% President Obama’s approval rating, according to Talking Points Memo’s average – .6 percent above his disapproval rating
  • eight months since the last time his positives outweighed his negatives – and two months after a shellacking during the midterms source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Jan 2011 14:30

tags

World: Tunisia’s Prime Minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, taking over

  • And I urge all the sons and daughters of Tunisia, from all political and intellectual backgrounds, of every affiliation, to adhere to the true national spirit. So we can safeguard our nation that is so dear to us, in order to overcome this difficult phase and return security.
  • Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi • While informing Tunisian residents that he’ll be taking over presidential duties from troubled President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who has ruled since 1987 and just dissolved the government. There are reports that Ben Ali has straight-up left the country.  source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

14 Jan 2011 13:34

tags

Biz, World: Could food prices be a root cause of Tunisia’s unrest?

  • 32% increase in food prices in 2010’s second half source
  • » How does this matter? We’re at a record with food prices, making it hard for people to live in third-world countries. With quick growth in countries such as China, reserves are becoming harder to keep, and the supplies of basic crops like corn and soybeans (which also get used in vast quantities for such things as ethanol) are down significantly. And since Americans tend to eat more processed foods (which use fewer raw materials), price increases aren’t felt in the developed world as much as they are in the third world. “In this country, a much higher proportion of your food dollar is spent on processing, advertising and promotion and marketing,” said Global Insight economist Tom Jackson. “There’s not really that margin built in between the farmer and the consumer in the developing countries.”

 

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Jan 2011 12:18

tags

Politics: Today’s big vote: So, who’s going to be the next RNC chair?

So, much of the betting money is leaning towards this Reince Priebus guy (who we’re totally going to call Prince Riebus by accident) becoming the RNC chair. Sayonara, Michael Steele. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

14 Jan 2011 11:58

tags

World: More on the (very scary) Tunisia government dissolution

  • Running battles amid extreme violence from police. Protesters being chased on to rooftops. This is turning very, very bad. Gunshots are now ringing around us and in the other sidestreets around interior ministry.
  • Guardian reporter Angelique Chrisafis • Tweeting about the scene in Tunisia, where violent protests have led to the country’s dissolution. At least 23 people have died, many shot by police, since the protests began a month ago. Another 12 died in Tunis and Ras Jebel last night alone. The president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, promised that police would leave protesters alone, and that he would resign office by 2014. “I understand the Tunisians, I understand their demands,” he said. “I am sad about what is happening now after 50 years of service to the country, military service, all the different posts, 23 years of the presidency.” He’s been in office since 1987. Protesters, upset about the poor economic situation, want him to step down immediately. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Jan 2011 11:44

tags

World: Tunisia’s government falls apart violently and dramatically

Guess this means the dissolution of Lebanon’s government wasn’t the worst dissolution of the week. During this protest, security forces violently beat protesters. Yikes. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Jan 2011 11:31

tags

World: It’s a beatification: John Paul II getting saintly honor at Easter

  • It’s official: We’re looking to make John Paul II a saint. With Pope Benedict claiming that he’s met the requirements of beatification, his predecessor will be honored at Easter. The uber-popular John Paul II reportedly was responsible for a miracle – he cured a nun of Parkinson’s disease shortly after he died. He needs another one to become a full saint. And, in case you’re wondering: This is waaaaay faster than it usually happens. (photo by bren) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
top tags